Steel 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT
Finish state
GB 3Cr2W8V · AISI/SAE H21
QT+NIT = q&T then gas/ion nitrided surface
Choose for extrusion dies and hot-work inserts needing a 900–1100 HV wear/erosion skin over a 45 HRC core.
Values for the QT+NIT condition
Other 3Cr2W8V tempers and conditions
3Cr2W8V is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 3Cr2W8V.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard mill-supply condition for machining die cavities before hardening. | 460 | 760 | 18 | 20 HRC | — |
ESR (electroslag remelted) quality, annealed | Premium cleanliness and reduced carbide banding for large forging dies and long-life extrusion tooling. | 470 | 770 | 20 | 20 HRC | 3 % IACS |
Hot rolled | As-rolled or as-forged black bar for re-forging or for shops doing their own anneal; hardness varies with cooling rate. | 720 | 1,000 | 10 | 31 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered to 40–45 HRC | Toughness-biased setting for large hot-forging dies and hot shear blades where cracking risk dominates. | 1,150 | 1,350 | 10 | 43 HRC | — |
QT+NITThis page Q&T then gas/ion nitrided surface | Choose for extrusion dies and hot-work inserts needing a 900–1100 HV wear/erosion skin over a 45 HRC core. | 1,300 | 1,550 | 6 | 47 HRC | 3 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered to 45–48 HRC | Most common working hardness for hot-extrusion tooling and copper/brass die-casting inserts. | 1,330 | 1,550 | 8 | 47 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered to 48–52 HRC | Maximum wear/erosion resistance for small punches and mandrels; accept very low impact toughness. | 1,500 | 1,750 | 6 | 50 HRC | — |
What is 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT?
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT is 3Cr2W8V supplied in the QT+NIT condition — choose for extrusion dies and hot-work inserts needing a 900–1100 HV wear/erosion skin over a 45 HRC core. 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT has a yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT+NIT is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 600°C (1,112 °F), better than 98% of steel grades
- High strength — 1,300 MPa (189 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 30/100, better than 95% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 1/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 97% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 92% of steel grades
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 3Cr2W8V reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT has a yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT conducts electricity at 3 % IACS, worse than 91% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), better than 95% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (1/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT
Is 3Cr2W8V easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition (≈45 % of 1212) with rigid setups and carbide tooling; after hardening use grinding, EDM or ceramic/CBN tools, and always stress-relieve rough-machined cavities before quenching.
Can 3Cr2W8V be welded?
Repair welding only: preheat and hold at 350–450 °C, use matched W-type hot-work filler, weld with low heat input and temper immediately at 30 °C below the last tempering temperature.
Can 3Cr2W8V be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge between 1100 and 850 °C with slow, uniform heating and mandatory slow furnace cooling plus annealing; the steel has essentially no cold formability.
What surface finishes work on 3Cr2W8V?
Harden 1075-1130 C (oil or salt/gas quench) and double temper at 560-620 C; then nitride, black-oxide or apply PVD CrN/TiAlN for die-soldering and erosion resistance. Not anodizable; oil or VCI protect in storage.
3Cr2W8V chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.3 – 0.4 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 2.2 – 2.7 | 2.45 |
| Wprimary hot-strength element | 7.5 – 9 | 8.25 |
| V | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT — frequently asked
What is 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT used for?
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT is typically used for hot forging dies, die-casting dies and hot extrusion tools. In short: tungsten-type hot-work steel; hardness retention at heat; brass die-casting tooling grade.
What is the yield strength of 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT?
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition (≈45 % of 1212) with rigid setups and carbide tooling; after hardening use grinding, EDM or ceramic/CBN tools, and always stress-relieve rough-machined cavities before quenching.
Can 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Repair welding only: preheat and hold at 350–450 °C, use matched W-type hot-work filler, weld with low heat input and temper immediately at 30 °C below the last tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT?
Harden 1075-1130 C (oil or salt/gas quench) and double temper at 560-620 C; then nitride, black-oxide or apply PVD CrN/TiAlN for die-soldering and erosion resistance. Not anodizable; oil or VCI protect in storage.
Can 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge between 1100 and 850 °C with slow, uniform heating and mandatory slow furnace cooling plus annealing; the steel has essentially no cold formability.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3Cr2W8V QT+NIT?
3Cr2W8V QT+NIT is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 3Cr2W8V-A and 3Cr2W8V-HR?
A is the default condition — standard mill-supply condition for machining die cavities before hardening. HR: as-rolled or as-forged black bar for re-forging or for shops doing their own anneal; hardness varies with cooling rate. Yield strength is 460 MPa in A versus 720 MPa in HR.
Sources
- GB/T 1299 (Alloy tool steels) — SAC / (2014)
- ASTM A681 Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy (H21) — ASTM (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Hot-Work Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- / (3Cr2W8V heat treatment and mechanical data) (2011)
- 1.2581 / X30WCrV9-3 hot-work tool steel datasheet — European tool steel producers (e.g. Böhler/Buderus class data) (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.